With a recent surge in Covid-19 cases in Vizag city, potentially linked to the new Omicron subvariant JN.1, the Greater Visakhapatnam Municipal Corporation (GVMC) is taking proactive measures to address the situation.

The civic body has issued an alert to officials, urging an increase in testing numbers and the identification of suspected cases for early treatment.

Ward volunteers and ANMs have been mobilized to conduct secretariat-wise awareness sessions, educating residents about Covid-19 symptoms and advising them to seek medical assistance if they experience any similar signs.

The GVMC recently held a comprehensive meeting with key officials to ensure preparedness for any potential rise in infection numbers.

To further assess the situation, the GVMC has decided to conduct a door-to-door fever survey, aiming to identify and isolate suspected cases.

Mayor G Hari Venkata Kumari emphasized the importance of adhering to Covid-appropriate behavior during the ongoing festival season, considering the potential for heavy crowds at shopping malls and festive events.

While acknowledging that the new subvariant JN.1 is reported to be less virulent than earlier variants, Mayor Hari Venkata Kumari stressed the continued importance of preventive measures such as wearing masks, using sanitizers, and practicing frequent handwashing.

The GVMC officials have been directed to ensure the availability of testing kits at every urban health facility in the city.

GVMC Commissioner CM Saikanth Varma reassured the public that positive cases are being kept in home isolation, and the GVMC is diligently following health department guidelines to prevent any surge in case numbers.

Zonal commissioners have been instructed to tailor their strategies based on the local scenario, ensuring a comprehensive and targeted response to the evolving situation.